Caring for the hypertensive newborn: a prospective evaluation of risk factors, clinical profile, management, and predictors of outcome of neonatal hypertension

Conclusion:  NHT is a clinically important but underrecognised entity. Hypertension was seen in preterm, low birth weight neonates and associated with certain maternal and postnatal risk factors, with majority responding to a single drug. Neonates with multiple comorbid illnesses need careful monitoring for h ypertension as they are at a higher risk of developing hypertensive crisis. Most NHT cases were normotensive at the time of discharge and did not require pharmacotherapy beyond the neonatal period.What is Known:• Neonatal hypertension (NHT) is an under-recognised entity, and the spectrum of clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to severe target organ damage.• Hypertension is commonly seen in preterm, low birth weight neonates and associated with certain maternal and postnatal risk factor.What is New:• NHT is mostly transient, but intrauterine growth retardation, use of antenatal steroids, renal dysfunction due to congenital anomalies, drugs, and chronic lung disease may lead to the persistence of hypertension beyond the neonatal period.• Neonates with multiple comorbid illnesses need careful monitoring for hypertension as they are at a higher risk of developing hypertensive crisis. Three-fourths of hypertensive neonates respond to a single antihypertensive drug, and only one-fourth of patients required an additional drug to control hypertension. Most neonates respond to short duration of treatment, and only a few patients require long-term therapy.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research